6 answers
Brooklyn
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
3
Questions
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What courses should I take in college if I'm undecided between occupational therapy and mental health?
#occupational-therapy #mental-health
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6 answers
Madeline Burke
Occupational Therapist
1
Answer
Dunwoody, Georgia
Updated
Madeline’s Answer
Hello! I'm a new graduate occupational therapist. To decide if you would be interested in occupational therapy, I would take anatomy & physiology, neuroscience or kinesiology. Some of the most challenging coursework in an OT program are rooted in those subjects. I also agree that psychology courses would be helpful, particularly abnormal or developmental psychology for OT.
Daniel Kelly
5
Answers
Santa Barbara, California
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Hey Brooklyn, I would assume that psychology courses would be a good start since they are usually pretty broad and surround both of these fields. Depending on where you go to school, there may be an applied psychology program or classes in that department that can be more specific towards your interests. Hope this helps!
Christi Akbas
Occupational therapy
7
Answers
Fairport, New York
Updated
Christi’s Answer
I would meet with an academic counselor at your school of interest as each school has different requirements. Meet with them and see what classes are needed for both. As an ot usually you will need to take psych 101 and abnormal psych and I am sure both professions require statistics class.
I would also recommend getting some observation hours in in an ot setting and other settings you may be interested to help solidify your decision in which direction you want to go! Good luck!!
I would also recommend getting some observation hours in in an ot setting and other settings you may be interested to help solidify your decision in which direction you want to go! Good luck!!
Mara Heckathorn, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
1
Answer
Rochester, New York
Updated
Mara’s Answer
Hi Brooklyn,
I went to school for occupational therapy. I have a Bachelor's in Health Studies and a Master's in Occupational Therapy. During my bachelor's degree I took a variety of courses that were required for my major including introduction to psychology, abnormal psychology, and general health studies classes. These classes are needed as they are general foundations before taking occupational therapy classes which are in a graduate program. Also, mental health occupational therapy is a field that you may be interested as it would combine both interests. We did a lot of mental health course work throughout the occupational therapy courses. I hope this helps!
I went to school for occupational therapy. I have a Bachelor's in Health Studies and a Master's in Occupational Therapy. During my bachelor's degree I took a variety of courses that were required for my major including introduction to psychology, abnormal psychology, and general health studies classes. These classes are needed as they are general foundations before taking occupational therapy classes which are in a graduate program. Also, mental health occupational therapy is a field that you may be interested as it would combine both interests. We did a lot of mental health course work throughout the occupational therapy courses. I hope this helps!
Priya Mathew
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Art Student
170
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Priya’s Answer
Hi Brooklyn, I would say a psychology degree would help in both. At the same time, you can ask your academic advisor if there are any classes needed or specific to occupational therapy, and minor in those classes, or vise versa! I am not sure what the basic courses for occupational therapy are, but I think as long as you take the prerequisite classes for both fields, whatever you major should be fine.
I agree. I work in OT and my bachelor’s degree is in child psych. There was a significant amount of overlap between pre-requisites and my psych coursework. Additionally, OT is rooted and began with psych principles. I would imagine there isn’t a *wrong* answer here - you’d likely be happy with either. I know there can be a lot of stress about picking the RIGHT career, but take some of that off your shoulders. There is more than one answer AND there is flexibility to change your mind if you realize one isn’t the best fit for you.
Amanda Mansfield
Madi Dunlap
Forensic Consultant
193
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Madi’s Answer
Hi Brooklyn,
I agree with the other answers that Psychology classes could be a good place to start if you are undecided. Additionally, I would say to look up the courses that would be needed for Occupational Therapy or the Mental Health field. I would assume that there could be overlap, especially in the introductory course work, and you could take those classes as well. In addition to that, you could take a few classes that are more focused on Occupational Therapy for one semester and a few classes for Mental Health the next semester to help you get a feel for both of these career choices.
I agree with the other answers that Psychology classes could be a good place to start if you are undecided. Additionally, I would say to look up the courses that would be needed for Occupational Therapy or the Mental Health field. I would assume that there could be overlap, especially in the introductory course work, and you could take those classes as well. In addition to that, you could take a few classes that are more focused on Occupational Therapy for one semester and a few classes for Mental Health the next semester to help you get a feel for both of these career choices.